Flat global sales and corporate streamlining are behind an 8% drop in revenue for 2017, the Danish family owned Lego Group announced today.

Flat global sales and corporate streamlining are behind an 8% drop in revenue for 2017, the Danish family owned Lego Group announced today.

Revenue for the full year fell after more than a decade of strong growth to DKK 35 billion ($5.8 billion) from DKK 37.9 billion ($6.3 billion) in 2016. The decline came despite a Lego movie and Star Wars merchandise tie-ins and the royal opening of the Lego House family attraction last year.

The McKinney Møller family intends to directly own – partly or as a majority shareholder – several Maersk-related entities following key strategic changes at the Danish transport-to-energy behemoth Maersk Group.

The McKinney Møller family intends to directly own – partly or as a majority shareholder – several Maersk-related entities directly following key strategic changes at the Danish transport-to-energy behemoth Maersk Group.

The announcement comes as the 113-year-old Danish company replaced its chairman of 14 years and posted its second heaviest loss in seven decades.

The Danish family owners of the $5 billion Lego Group have appointed the non-family executive who quadrupled revenue in less than 10 years to a new effort to develop the long-term potential of the brand.

The Danish family owners of the $5 billion Lego Group have appointed the non-family executive who quadrupled revenue in less than 10 years to a new effort to develop the long-term potential of the brand.

The Kirk Kristiansen family, owners of arguably the biggest toymaker in the world, announced today they have decided to establish the Lego Brand Group.

Robert Maersk Uggla is 33 while Henry Cheng is 65 years old, but both next-gens, from different parts of the world, have made headlines this week for taking up top roles in their family businesses.

Robert Maersk Uggla is 33 while Henry Cheng is 65 years old, but both next-gens, from different parts of the world, have made headlines this week for taking up top roles in their family businesses.

Danish industrial conglomerate Moller-Maersk said on 29 February that fourth-generation Uggla has been appointed head of the family business’s tugboat subsidiary, Svitzer. Until now, Uggla was chief executive of the group’s tanker operations.

Foreign direct investors have a welter of industrialised countries to choose from but many markets stand in stark economic contrast with each other. Scandinavian countries are no exception

Scott McCulloch is editor of Families in Business magazine.

Foreign direct investors have a welter of industrialised countries to choose from but many markets stand in stark economic contrast with each other. Scandinavian countries are no exception

Investing in Scandinavia virtually means investing in Sweden. The Swedish government, the press and local businesses treat foreign investors as they do Swedish investors. The media is quick to point out foreign ownership, however, when layoffs or plant shutdowns are announced.